Unsupportable Fervor Requires an ETF Wish List

NEW YORK ( ETF Expert) -- "I've never seen this in 34 years of investing," quipped TheStreet's Jim Cramer earlier this week.

What was Cramer referring to? For the most part, he expressed excitement over the stock market's ability to reward stocks of companies that missed earnings expectations as well as to reward those that beat expectations by not taking profits.

In other words, regardless of what a corporation has already achieved or anticipates achieving going forward, investors are buying indiscriminately.

Need proof that everything is a winner? Take a look at a three-year chart involving the S&P 100.

In bullish rallies, one expects the majority of stocks in a major index like the S&P 100 to gain ground in an uptrend. The percentage of S&P 100 stocks that climb above and stay above a long-term 200-day trendline might be 70%, 80%, maybe even 90%.

Eventually, uptrends break down. In the first four months of April 2011, the percentage of S&P 100 stocks that remained above a 200-day average hovered around 90%. Then the levy broke and the iShares S&P 100 Index Fund ( OEF) forfeited 18% from the highs to the lows. In 2012, 90% of S&P 100 stocks remained above a 200-day trendline as well. When the "sell-in-May" crowd exerted their influence, OEF had logged 8% in losses in roughly 6 weeks.

Historically, when 90% of stocks are above key long-term trendlines, one is typically looking at overbought conditions. Yet, those conditions can persist for many months. Here in 2013, however, I am witnessing oddities that I have not personally witnessed during my 23 years of experience.

Not only have we been hovering around the 90% level for most of 2013, but in the last few weeks the percentage has climbed even higher. We're now looking at 96% of stocks in long-term uptrends.

This "96%" goes a long way toward describing Cramer's anecdotal observations. Specifically, investors are neither punishing the poor performers nor "cashing in" on the good performers.

Where I differ with Cramer and a number of uber-bullish commentators, is the idea that the current market conditions should be embraced. "Buy, buy, buy!" To that I would answer, "Why, why, why?"

I do not know when the markets will decide that 1% revenue growth eventually hinders future earnings. I cannot predict when short-sellers and profit takers will make bearish prognosticators appear brilliant. I certainly do not know if Europe's deepening recession or the next Federal Reserve statement or the ongoing currency wars will be at the root of the next stock market correction. Nevertheless, pullbacks are as inevitable as a disgruntled relative complaining at a family get-together. It's going to happen.

I recommend that an ETF enthusiast put together a list of stock ETFs that he/she would like to own if the prices were 5%, 10% and/or 15% lower. At a 5% discount from current prices, I like investments such as iShares High Dividend Equity ( HDV), iShares MSCI Emerging Market Minimum Volatility ( EEMV) and GlobalX Super Dividend ( SDIV).

And at a 15% discount, when one needs to recognize the genuine possibility of a correction becoming a ferocious bear, I may be keen on those stock ETF assets that held up significantly better under fierce volatility and negativity. In all instances, I will employ stop-limit loss orders to protect against the possibility that losses accelerate.

This article was written by an independent contributor, separate from TheStreet's regular news coverage.

Disclosure Statement: ETF Expert is a website that makes the world of ETFs easier to understand. Gary Gordon, Pacific Park Financial and/or its clients may hold positions in ETFs, mutual funds and investment assets mentioned. The commentary does not constitute individualized investment advice. The opinions offered are not personalized recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities. At times, issuers of exchange-traded products compensate Pacific Park Financial or its subsidiaries for advertising at the ETF Expert website. ETF Expert content is created independently of any advertising relationships. You may review additional ETF Expert at the site.

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